Improved container with non-squared edges

ABSTRACT

There is provided a container for consumer articles, the container being at least partially formed from a blank defining a portion of the container, which comprises a first planar wall; a second planar wall connected to the first planar wall by a first edge portion; and a third planar wall connected to the first planar wall by a second edge portion. The longitudinal direction of the first edge portion is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second edge portion. The first edge portion and the second edge portion form, when the container is assembled from the laminar blank, adjacent edges of the container meeting at a junction. Each of the first and the second edge portions have an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surfaces of the first and second edge portions define a first ablation area (A1) and a second ablation area (A2), respectively. Each ablation area (A1, A2) comprises one or more ablated zones with a residual thickness less than the thickness (T) of the laminar blank and a length in the longitudinal direction of the respective edge portion and a respective width extending transversely to the length. At least one of the first and second ablation areas (A1, A2) comprises a first portion and an end portion extending from the first portion. The end portion tapers from a width (W) of the first portion to a point at the junction with the other one of the first and second ablation areas (A1, A2).

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods and to ablank for forming such container, which find particular application forholding consumer goods, such as smoking articles (for examplecigarettes).

Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars are usually provided insoft-pack packs or hard-pack packs, such as flip-top boxes or hinge-lidboxes. These typically have a box part having a box front wall, a boxrear wall, box side walls and a box base. They also usually have a lidpart with a lid front wall, a lid rear wall, lid side walls and a lidtop side. The lid part is typically hinged to the box part along a hingeline extending across a back wall of the container. The hinge line isusually provided as a pre-folded line, a crease line or a score line.

For hard-pack packs, it is known to round off or chamfer certain cornersof the box and lid to give the container a distinctive appearance. Thishas typically been achieved in the past by providing creasing lines orscore lines in the blank at the areas forming the edges of thecontainer. These lines allow the blank to be folded in such a way thatthe corner does not sharply bend but instead progressively bends betweentwo adjacent walls.

However, where a container comprises adjacent rounded or bevelled edgesforming an angle, such as an orthogonal angle, the strength and finishof the container may at times be impacted during folding of the blank toform the container. In some cases, a hole or gap can even be formed atthe junction between the adjacent rounded or bevelled edges. Thus, notonly is the visual and tactile perception of the container impacted, butalso the container may be structurally damaged.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a container for consumer goodsthat is less prone to being damaged during the assembly operation andthat has an improved look and a smoother feel. In particular, it wouldbe desirable that one such container be easy to assemble using standardpacking apparatus and techniques, without the requirement forsignificant changes to existing machines and methods. At the same time,it would be desirable to provide a blank for manufacturing a containerfor consumer goods that makes the production and assembly processeasier, more flexible and less likely to cause damages in the assembledcontainer.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda container for consumer articles, the container being at leastpartially formed from a laminar blank having a thickness (T). Thelaminar blank defines a portion of the container, which comprises afirst planar wall, a second planar wall connected to the first planarwall by a first edge portion, and a third planar wall connected to thefirst planar wall by a second edge portion. The longitudinal directionof the first edge portion is transverse to the longitudinal direction ofthe second edge portion. The first edge portion and the second edgeportion form, when the container is assembled from the laminar blank,adjacent edges of the container meeting at a junction. Each of the firstand the second edge portions has an inner surface and an outer surface.The inner surfaces of the first and second edge portions define a firstablation area (A1) and a second ablation area (A2), respectively. Eachablation area (A1, A2) comprises one or more ablated zones having aresidual thickness less than the thickness (T) of the laminar blank, andeach ablation area (A1, A2) has a length in the longitudinal directionof the respective edge portion and a respective width that extendstransversely to the length. In addition, at least one of the first andsecond ablation areas (A1, A2) comprises a first portion and an endportion extending from the first portion, the end portion tapering froma width (W) of the first portion to a point at the junction with theother one of the first and second ablation areas (A1, A2).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda laminar blank for forming a container for consumer articles. Thelaminar blank has a thickness (T) and comprises: a first wall panel forforming a first planar wall of the container; a second wall panelconnected to the first wall panel by a first edge portion for forming asecond planar wall of the container; and a third wall panel connected tothe first wall panel by a second edge portion for forming a third planarwall of the container. The longitudinal direction of the first edgeportion is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second edgeportion. The first edge portion and the second edge portion form, whenthe container is assembled from the laminar blank, adjacent edges of thecontainer meeting at a junction. The first and the second edge portionshave an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surfaces of thefirst and second edge portions define a first ablation area (A1) and asecond ablation area (A2), respectively. Each ablation area (A1, A2)comprises one or more ablated zones having a residual thickness lessthan the thickness (T) of the laminar blank. Further, each ablation area(A1, A2) has a length in the longitudinal direction of the respectivemodified edge portion and a respective width that extends transverselyto the length. In addition, at least one of the first and secondablation areas (A1, A2) comprises a first portion and an end portionextending from the first portion and tapering from a width (W) of thefirst portion to a point at the junction with the other one of the firstand second ablation areas (A1, A2).

It shall be appreciated that any features described with reference toone aspect of the present invention are equally applicable to any otheraspect of the invention.

In contrast to known blanks/containers, where material is removed withinthe portions of the blank that form two adjacent non-squared (forexample, rounded or bevelled) corners of the container, at least one ofthe ablation areas tapers towards the intersection with the adjacentablation area. In more detail, material is removed within an ablationarea extending substantially along an edge of a planar wall of thecontainer. The ablation area comprises a first portion, for example onehaving a substantially constant width over at least a part of itslength, and at least a tapered end portion extending from the firstportion to the intersection of the ablation area with another ablationarea extending substantially along an adjacent edge of the same planarwall of the container.

Because the interference between adjacent ablation areas is limited, ifnot eliminated altogether, the risk of damaging the blank/containerduring the folding operation is significantly reduced. Thus, bending ofthe blank when forming the container is easier and results in theformation of surfaces that are smoother to the touch. At the same time,the strength of the container at rounded/bevelled edges may be betterpreserved.

Thus, it is easy to form non-squared edges, such as rounded or bevellededges, in a container according to the present invention. When the blankis bent into shape at the rounded or bevelled edges, a portion of thetotal deflection is absorbed by each reduced thickness portion of theablation area, so that the resulting container edge advantageously getsto assume the desired shape more smoothly than it would be if it wereformed with sharp creases. Further, because of the tapered shape andmutual arrangement of adjacent ablated zones, adjacent rounded orbevelled edges of the containers are formed without any significantdamage to the blank or container that could be caused by interferingablated zones. Thus, the risk of forming holes or gaps in the containerduring the assembly operation is advantageously greatly reduced.

Because the outer surface of the blank is unaffected by the ablationprocess, the resulting outer surface of the container is smooth uponvisual and tactile inspection on the part of the consumer. Further,because this smooth, rounded surface can be obtained with a relativelysmall number of ablated zones, and therefore with limited materialremoval, the strength of the container at the rounded or bevelledcorners may be adjusted, so that appearance and resistance of thecontainer are both advantageously improved.

Advantageously, the blank may be manufactured by precisely removingmaterial from the round corner portion with a linear ablation tool (e.g.laser, blade). Repeated passages of the ablation tool over a givenportion of the blank results in the controlled removal of a greaterpercentage of material, that is in a reduced residual thickness.

The term “edge portion” is used herein to refer in particular to an edgeportion of the container having a non-square shape as viewed incross-section. This may for example refer to a “curved edge portion”,that is an edge portion of the container having an arc-like shape asviewed in cross-section. By the term “arc-like” reference is made to anynon-straight line, including circular arc, parabolic arc, hyperbolicarc, elliptical arc, etc. Further, this may for example refer to a“bevelled edge portion”, that is an edge portion of the container thathas, as viewed in cross-section, a substantially straight shape formingan angle between 0 and 90 degrees with the adjacent walls of thecontainer.

The term “inner surface” is used throughout the specification to referto the side of a portion of the blank that, once the container isassembled, faces towards the interior of the container, for exampletowards the consumer goods, when the container is closed. Thus, theinner surface is not directly visible for the consumer when thecontainer is closed. The term “outer surface” is used throughout thespecification to refer to the side of a portion of the blank that, oncethe container is assembled, faces towards the exterior of the container.

The term “ablation area” is used herein to refer to the minimum area ofthe blank that encloses all ablated zones on an edge portion.

The term “ablated zone” is used herein to refer to an area of the curvededge portion from which material has been ablated (for example, removedby means of a laser beam or a blade) from a surface of the laminar blankor container. Accordingly, the residual thickness of an ablated zone isless than the thickness (T) of the laminar blank. Preferably, an ablatedzone is provided as a groove within the blank. This may be formed with alinear ablation tool, such as a laser or a blade. In embodiments whereall the ablated zones are defined by parallel grooves within the blank,the area of the ablation area may be regarded as the area enclosing allthe grooves on the curved edge portion. Thus, in those embodiments, thewidth of the ablation area may be regarded as extending transversely tothe grooves, from the first to the last of the grooves on the curvededge portion.

In the present specification, the term “slanted” is used to describe asection of an ablated zone that extends along a direction forming a nonnull angle with respect to a reference direction, for example thelongitudinal direction of the ablation area, or the axis of a wall ofthe container. For example, a “slanted” section of an ablated zone mayextend along said direction in its entirety. In other words, a “slanted”section of an ablated zone may extend along a substantially straightline. As an alternative, the direction along which a “slanted” sectionof an ablated zone extends may vary. Thus, a “slanted” section of anablated zone may substantially extend along a polyline or a curved line.

The term “residual thickness” is used herein to refer to the minimumdistance measured between two opposite surfaces of the laminar blank orof a wall of the container formed from the blank. In practice, thedistance at a given location is measured along a direction locallyperpendicular to the opposite surfaces. The “residual thickness” of anablated zone may be constant over the ablated zone if material isremoved homogenously substantially all over the ablated zone (flatprofile). Alternatively, the residual thickness of the ablated zone mayvary across a width of the ablated zone, if material is removednon-homogeneously over the ablated zone (e.g. V-shaped, U-shapedgrooves).

As used herein, the terms “front”, “back”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”,“bottom” and “side”, refer to the relative positions of portions ofcontainers according to the invention and components thereof when thecontainer is in an upright position with the access opening at the topof the container. In particular, where the container is a hinged lidcontainer, this refers to the container being in an upright positionwith the lid in the closed position and the hinge line at the back ofthe container. When describing containers according to the presentinvention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of thecontainer being described.

The term “spring-back force” is a known term of art for referring to aparticular property of a laminar blank. It is sometimes referred to as‘the crease recovery’ and means the force (N) required to hold a scoredsample that is folded at 90 degrees for a 15-second period. Themeasurement is made at the end of the 15-second period. The spring-backforce of a portion of a laminar blank can be measured using a known PIRACrease and Board Stiffness Tester (commercially available for examplefrom Messmer and Buchel, UK). As is known in the art, to measure thespring-back force of a curved edge portion of a container, a sample ofthe portion to be tested should first be removed from the laminar blank.For round corner packs, for the purposes of the present invention thespring-back force of a pack is assessed using a sample measuring 38±1millimetres by 38±0.5 millimetres, with the corner forming portion beingpositioned 21±0.5 millimetres from one side of the blank. The blankshould be conditioned at 22 degrees Celsius and 60 percent relativehumidity for at least 24 hours prior to testing.

In its most general terms, a container according to the presentinvention is at least partially formed from a laminar blank having athickness (T). In more detail, the laminar blank defines a portion ofthe container, which comprises a first planar wall, a second planar wallconnected to the first planar wall by a first edge portion; and a thirdplanar wall connected to the first planar wall by a second edge portion.The longitudinal direction of the first edge portion is transverse tothe longitudinal direction of the second edge portion and the first edgeportion and the second edge portion form, when the container isassembled from the laminar blank, adjacent edges of the containermeeting at a junction. Each of the first and the second edge portionshave an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surfaces ofthe first and second edge portions define a first ablation area (A1) anda second ablation area (A2), respectively. Each ablation area (A1, A2)has a length in the longitudinal direction of the respective edgeportion and a respective width that extends transversely to the length,and comprises one or more ablated zones having a residual thickness lessthan the thickness (T) of the laminar blank. At least one of the firstand second ablation areas (A1, A2) comprises a first portion and an endportion extending from the first portion, the end portion tapering froma width (W) of the first portion to a point at the junction with theother one of the first and second ablation areas (A1, A2).

In some embodiments, both the first and second ablation areas (A1, A2)comprise a respective first portion and a respective end portionextending from the respective first portion and tapering from a width ofthe respective first portion to a point at the junction with the otherone of the first and second ablation areas (A1, A2). In theseembodiments, a corner portion of the first planar wall is delimited by aslanted ablated zone of the end portion of the first ablation area (A1)and by a slanted ablated zone of the second ablation area (A2), eachslanted ablated zone forming a non null angle with the longitudinaldirection of the respective edge portion.

This is thought to minimise the interaction between the adjacent edgeportions, and so the risk of damaging the container during the assemblyprocess is particularly limited. In addition, the finish and look of thecontainer are advantageously enhanced.

Preferably, each ablation area (A1, A2) comprises a first ablated zoneand a second ablated zone extending in parallel in the longitudinaldirection of the edge portion within the first portion of the ablationarea. In addition, each of the first and second ablated zones isarranged proximate to a respective one of the first planar wall and thesecond or third planar wall.

Preferably, at least one of the first ablation area (A1) and the secondablation area (A2) comprises a plurality of ablated zones, all theablated zones extending in parallel in the longitudinal direction of theedge portion within the first portion of the ablation area.

In addition, at least one ablated zone preferably extends along astraight line in the longitudinal direction of the modified edge portionover at least part of the tapering end portion of the first ablationarea (A1) or the second ablation area (A2). This can help to furtherweaken the tapering end portion of the laminar blank. This can help tocreate a more gradual curvature and profile in the container around thejunction at which adjacent edges of the container meet.

In the embodiments identified above, at least one ablated zonepreferably comprises a slanted section extending, over part of thetapering end portion of the ablation area, along a direction forming anon null angle with the longitudinal direction of the modified edgeportion.

In addition, at least one of the first ablation area (A1) and the secondablation area (A2) preferably comprises a first pair of ablated zonesextending in the longitudinal direction of the modified edge portionover at least part of the tapering end portion of the ablation area, anda second pair of ablated zones comprising respective slanted sectionsforming a non null angle with the first pair of ablated zones. Theablated zones in the second pair of ablated zones are symmetrical withrespect to the ablated zones in the first pair of ablated zones.

In alternative embodiments, the first ablation area (A1) comprises afirst portion and an end portion extending from the first portion andtapering from a width of the first portion to a point at the junctionwith the second ablation area (A2), as described above, whereas thesecond ablation area (A2) comprises a plurality of ablated zonesextending in the longitudinal direction of the edge portion over thewhole length of the second ablation area (A2). Thus, in theseembodiments, a corner portion of the first planar wall is delimited by astraight ablated zone of the second ablation area (A2) and by a slantedablated zone of the end portion of the first ablation area (A1) forminga non null angle with the longitudinal direction of the first edgeportion.

In some embodiments, the laminar blank defines a portion of thecontainer that comprises a first planar wall, a second planar wallconnected to the first planar wall by a first edge portion; a thirdplanar wall connected to the first planar wall by a second edge portion;and a fourth planar wall connected to the first planar wall by a thirdedge portion. The longitudinal direction of the first edge portion istransverse to the longitudinal direction of the second edge portion andto the longitudinal direction of the third edge portion. Thelongitudinal direction of the second edge portion is substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal direction of the third edge portion. Whenthe container is assembled from the laminar blank, the first edgeportion and the second edge portion form adjacent edges of the containermeeting at a first junction. Similarly, in the assembled container, thefirst edge portion and the third edge portion form adjacent edges of thecontainer meeting at a second junction. Each of the first, second andthird edge portions have an inner surface and an outer surface, and theinner surfaces define a first ablation area (A1), a second ablation area(A2), and a third ablation area (A3) respectively. Each ablation area(A1, A2, A3) has a length in the longitudinal direction of therespective edge portion and a respective width that extends transverselyto the length, and comprises one or more ablated zones having a residualthickness less than the thickness (T) of the laminar blank. The firstablation area (A1) comprises a first portion and two opposite endportions extending from the first portion, each end portion taperingfrom a width (W) of the first portion to a point at the junction with arespective one of the second and third ablation areas (A2, A3).

Preferably, each of the ablation lines has a residual thickness of atleast about 5 percent of the thickness (T) of the blank. Morepreferably, each of the ablation lines has a residual thickness of atleast about 10 percent of the thickness (T) of the blank. Even morepreferably, each of the ablation lines has a residual thickness of atleast about 20 percent of the thickness (T) of the blank. In addition,or as an alternative, each of the ablation lines has preferably aresidual thickness of less than about 50 percent of the thickness (T) ofthe blank. More preferably, each of the ablation lines has a residualthickness of less than about 40 percent of the thickness (T) of theblank. Even more preferably, each of the ablation lines has preferably aresidual thickness of less than about 30 percent of the thickness (T) ofthe blank. In some particularly preferred embodiments, each of theablation lines has preferably a residual thickness of about 20 percentof the thickness (T) of the blank.

Preferably, the ablated width of each ablated zone is at least about0.01 millimetres. More preferably, the ablated width of each ablatedzone is at least about 0.05 millimetres. In addition, or as analternative, the ablated width of each ablated zone is less than about0.4 millimetres. More preferably, the ablated width of each ablated zoneis less than about 0.2 millimetres. In some preferred embodiments, theablated width of each ablated zone is from about 0.01 millimetres toabout 0.4 millimetres. Even more preferably, the ablated width of eachablated zone is from about 0.05 millimetres to 0.2 millimetres.

Preferably, the container has a spring-back force of less than about 10milliNewton metres between the two planar walls that are connected bythe curved edge portion.

Containers according to the present invention find application ascontainers for consumer goods, in particular elongate consumer goodssuch as smoking articles. However, they can also be used for severalother types of consumer goods.

The blank may be formed from any suitable material or combination ofmaterials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, paperboard,plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the blank is alaminar cardboard blank having a weight of between about 100 grams persquare metre and about 350 grams per square metre. In preferredembodiments, the blank has a thickness of from about 100 micrometres toabout 500 micrometres, preferably from about 200 micrometres to about350 micrometres.

The container may optionally comprise an outer wrapper, which ispreferably a transparent polymeric film of, for example, high or lowdensity polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene,polyvinylidene chloride, cellulose film, or combinations thereof and theouter wrapper is applied in a conventional manner. The outer wrapper mayinclude a tear tape. In addition, the outer wrapper may be printed withimages, consumer information or other data.

Further, the consumer articles may be provided within the container inthe form of a bundle wrapped in an inner package formed of metal foil ormetallised paper. The inner package material may be formed as a laminateof a metallised polyethylene film, and a liner material. The linermaterial may be a super-calendered glassine paper. In addition, theinner package material may be provided with a print-receptive topcoating. The inner package has an access opening through which consumergoods can be removed when a lid of the container is in a respective openposition.

The container is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped comprising twowider walls spaced apart by two narrower walls. Hinge lid containersaccording to the invention may be in the shape of a rectangularparallelepiped, with right-angled longitudinal and right-angledtransverse edges. Alternatively, the hinge lid container may compriseone or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges,bevelled longitudinal edges or bevelled transverse edges, orcombinations thereof. For example, the hinge lid container according tothe invention may comprise, without limitation:

-   -   One or two longitudinal rounded edges on the front wall, and/or        one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on the back        wall.    -   One or two transverse rounded edges on the front wall, and/or        one or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the back        wall.    -   One longitudinal rounded edge and one longitudinal bevelled edge        on the front wall, and/or one transverse rounded edge and one        transverse bevelled edge on the back wall.    -   One or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the front        wall and one or two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on        the front wall.    -   Two longitudinal rounded or bevelled edges on a first side wall        or two transverse rounded or bevelled edges on the second side        wall.

Where the container comprises one or more bevelled edge, preferably thebevelled edge has a width of between about 1 mm and about 10 mm,preferably between about 2 and about 6 mm. Alternatively, the containermay comprise a multi-bevelled edge formed by parallel creasing orscoring lines that are spaced such that two or more distinct bevels areformed on at least one edge of the container.

Alternatively, the container may have a non-rectangular transversalcross section, for example polygonal such as triangular or hexagonal,semi-oval or semi-circular.

Containers according to the invention find particular application aspacks for elongate smoking articles such as, for example, cigarettes,cigars or cigarillos. It will be appreciated that through appropriatechoices of the dimensions thereof, containers according to the inventionmay be designed for different numbers of conventional size, king size,super-king size, slim or super-slim cigarettes. Alternatively, otherconsumer goods may be housed inside the container.

Through an appropriate choice of the dimensions, containers according tothe invention may be designed to hold different total numbers of smokingarticles, or different arrangements of smoking articles. For example,through an appropriate choice of the dimensions, containers according tothe invention may be designed to hold a total of between ten and thirtysmoking articles.

The smoking articles may be arranged in different collations, dependingon the total number of smoking articles.

Containers according to the present invention may hold smoking articlesof the same type or brand, or of different types or brands. In addition,both filter-less smoking articles and smoking articles with variousfilter tips may be contained, as well as smoking articles of differinglength (for example, between about 40 mm and about 180 mm), diameter(for example, between about 4 mm and about 9 mm). Preferably, thedimensions of the container are adapted to the length of the smokingarticles, and the collation of the smoking articles. Typically, theouter dimensions of the container are between about 0.5 mm to about 5 mmlarger than the dimensions of the bundle or bundles of smoking articleshoused inside the container.

The length, width and depth of containers according to the invention maybe such that the resultant overall dimensions of the container aresimilar to the dimensions of a typical disposable pack of twentycigarettes.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a height ofbetween about 60 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a height ofbetween about 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the height is measuredfrom the bottom wall to the top wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a width ofbetween about 12 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a width of betweenabout 70 mm and about 125 mm, wherein the width is measured from oneside wall to the other side wall of the container.

Preferably, containers according to the invention have a depth ofbetween about 6 mm and about 150 mm, more preferably a depth of betweenabout 12 mm and about 25 mm wherein the depth is measured from the frontwall to the back wall of the container.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the container to the depth of thecontainer is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, morepreferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferablybetween about 3 to 1 and 5 to 1

Preferably, the ratio of the width of the container to the depth of thecontainer is in between about 0.3 to 1 and about 10 to 1, morepreferably between about 2 to 1 and about 8 to 1, most preferablybetween about 2 to 1 and 3 to 1.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid back wall to the heightof the box back wall of the outer sleeve is between about 0 to 1 (lidlocated at the top edge of the container) to about 1 to 1, morepreferably, between about 1 to 5 and about 1 to 10, most preferably,between about 1 to 6 to about 1 to 8.

Preferably, the ratio of the height of the lid front wall of the outersleeve to the height of the box front wall of the outer sleeve isbetween about 1 to 0 (lid covering the entire front wall) to about 1 to10, more preferably, between about 1 to 1 and about 1 to 5, mostpreferably, between about 1 to 2 and about 1 to 3.

The exterior surfaces of containers according to the invention may beprinted, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufactureror brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information andindicia.

Containers according to the invention may be filled and assembled usingconventional apparatus and methods, modified to include the step offorming the ablated zones in the blank. The ablated zones may beproduced using an ablation tool, such as a laser or a blade. A laser isparticularly preferred as the ablation tool as it can allow for a widevariety of ablation profiles and configurations, with minimal adjustmentof the laser tool being needed. For example, the laser may be repeatedlypassed over a given portion of the blank to iteratively remove differentamounts of material, allowing for a very finely controlled ablationprofile. This is particularly beneficial if the fine ablated lines arerequired, with narrow widths. It is possible to accurately control therelative movement of the laser and the blank so as to form any type ofpattern with varying removal intensity (“depth”) over the ablation area.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a sample portion of a laminar blank for use indetermining the spring-back force of the blank;

FIG. 2 depicts an apparatus for determining the spring-back force of ablank;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of a detail of a first embodiment of alaminar blank for the manufacture of a container in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of a detail of a second embodiment ofa laminar blank for the manufacture of a container in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts the surface of a cardboard laminar blank 100, which has athickness (T) of about 300 micrometres. It comprises a first wall panel101 for forming a first planar wall of a container, a second wall panel102 for forming a second planar wall of the container, and a third wallpanel 103 for forming a third planar wall of the container. A first edgeportion 104 connects the first wall panel 101 and the second wall panel102. A second edge portion 105 connects the first wall panel 101 and thethird wall panel 103. The longitudinal direction of the first edgeportion 104 is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction ofthe second edge portion 105. When the container is assembled from theblank, the first edge portion 104 and the second edge portion 105 formadjacent edges of the container meeting at a junction.

The surfaces of the first and the second edge portions 104, 105 define afirst ablation area A1 and a second ablation area A2, respectively. Asshall be explained in more detail below, each ablation area A1, A2comprises a plurality of ablated zones having a residual thickness lessthan the thickness (T) of the laminar blank. The ablated zones defineareas of weakness, such that the blank 100 can be easily bent whenassembling the container and rounded corners of the container can beformed. Each of the ablated zones has a residual thickness of about 20percent of the thickness T of the blank. The ablated zones are formed inthe blank 100 by laser ablation.

Each ablation area A1, A2 has a length in the longitudinal direction ofthe respective edge portion 104, 105 and a respective width that extendstransversely to the length.

The first ablation area A1 comprises a first portion 106 and an endportion 107 extending from the first portion 106 and tapering from awidth of the first portion 106 to a point at the junction with thesecond ablation area A2.

The first ablation area A1 comprises a first ablated zone 201 and asecond ablated zone 202 which extend in parallel in the longitudinaldirection of the first edge portion 104 within the first portion 106 ofthe ablation area A1. The first and the second ablated zones 201 and 202taper over the end portion 107 to end at the junction point with thesecond ablation area A2.

The first ablated zone 201 is arranged proximate to the first wall panel101 and the second ablated zone 202 is arranged proximate to the secondwall panel 102. Further, the first ablation area A1 comprises 4 ablatedzones 203, 204, 205, 206 that extend in parallel in the longitudinaldirection of the first edge portion 104 within the first portion 106 ofthe ablation area.

The pair of ablated zones formed by the ablated zones 204 and 205extends in the longitudinal direction of the first edge portion 104further into part of the tapering end portion 107 of the first ablationarea A1. In contrast, the pair of ablated zones 203 and 206 comprisesrespective slanted sections 2031 and 2061 forming an angle of about 10degrees with the ablated zones 204 and 205. As illustrated in FIG. 3,the ablated zones 203 and 206 are symmetrical with respect to the pairformed by the ablated zones 204 and 205.

The second ablation area A2 comprises a plurality of ablated zones 300extending in the longitudinal direction of the second edge portion 105over the whole length of the second ablation area A2. Thus, a cornerportion of the first planar wall panel 101 is delimited by thesubstantially straight ablated zone 300 of the second ablation area A2and by the tapered portion of ablated 201 zone of the first ablationarea A1.

FIG. 4 depicts the surface of another cardboard laminar blank 400. Thecardboard laminar blank 400 will be described below only insofar as itdiffers from the cardboard laminar blank 100 and parts of the blank 400having the same features and function of corresponding parts of thelaminar blank 100 are referred to, wherever possible by the samenumerals.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the blank 400 differs from the blank 100because the second ablation area A2 also comprises a first portion 406and an end portion 407 extending from the first portion 406 and taperingfrom a width of the first portion 406 to a point at the junction withthe first ablation area A1. The mutual arrangement of the ablated zones501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506 within the second ablation area A2corresponds to the mutual arrangement of the ablated zones 201, 202,203, 204, 205, 206 within the first ablation area A1 as described above.

Thus, in the blank 400 a corner portion of the first planar wall panel101 is delimited by the tapered portion of ablated zone 501 of thesecond ablation area A2 and by the tapered portion of ablated 201 zoneof the first ablation area A1.

1. A container for consumer articles, the container being at leastpartially formed from a laminar blank having a thickness (T), thelaminar blank defining a portion of the container, which comprises: afirst planar wall; a second planar wall connected to the first planarwall by a first edge portion; and a third planar wall connected to thefirst planar wall by a second edge portion; the longitudinal directionof the first edge portion being transverse to the longitudinal directionof the second edge portion; the first edge portion and the second edgeportion forming, when the container is assembled from the laminar blank,adjacent edges of the container meeting at a junction; wherein each ofthe first and the second edge portions have an inner surface and anouter surface, and the inner surfaces of the first and second edgeportions define a first ablation area (A1) and a second ablation area(A2), respectively; wherein each ablation area (A1, A2) comprises one ormore ablated zones having a residual thickness less than the thickness(T) of the laminar blank, and each ablation area (A1, A2) has a lengthin the longitudinal direction of the respective edge portion and arespective width that extends transversely to the length; wherein atleast one of the first and second ablation areas (A1, A2) comprises afirst portion and an end portion extending from the first portion, theend portion tapering from a width (W) of the first portion to a point atthe junction with the other one of the first and second ablation areas(A1, A2).
 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein both the firstand second ablation areas (A1, A2) comprise a respective first portionand a respective end portion extending from the respective first portionand tapering from a width of the respective first portion to a point atthe junction with the other one of the first and second ablation areas(A1, A2).
 3. A container according to claim 1, wherein each ablationarea comprises a first ablated zone and a second ablated zone extendingin parallel in the longitudinal direction of the edge portion within thefirst portion of the ablation area; and wherein each of the first andsecond ablated zones is arranged proximate to a respective one of thefirst planar wall and the first or second planar wall.
 4. A containeraccording to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first ablation area(A1) and the second ablation area (A2) comprises a plurality of ablatedzones, all the ablated zones extending in parallel in the longitudinaldirection of the edge portion within the first portion of the ablationarea.
 5. A container according to claim 4, wherein at least one ablatedzone extends in the longitudinal direction of the modified edge portionover at least part of the tapering end portion of the first ablationarea (A1) or the second ablation area (A2).
 6. A container according toclaim 3, wherein at least one ablated zone comprises a slanted sectionextending, over part of the tapering end portion of the ablation area,along a direction forming a non null angle with the longitudinaldirection of the modified edge portion.
 7. A container according toclaim 6, wherein at least one of the first ablation area (A1) and thesecond ablation area (A2) comprises a first pair of ablated zonesextending in the longitudinal direction of the edge portion over atleast part of the tapering end portion of the ablation area; and asecond pair of ablated zones comprising respective slanted sectionsforming a non null angle with the first pair of ablated zones; whereinthe ablated zones in the second pair of ablated zones are symmetricalwith respect to the ablated zones in the first pair of ablated zones. 8.A container according to claim 1, wherein each of the ablated zones hasa residual thickness of less than about 50 percent of the thickness (T)of the laminar blank.
 9. A container according to claim 1, wherein eachof the one or more ablated zones has a residual thickness of at leastabout 5 percent of the thickness (T) of the laminar blank.
 10. Acontainer according to claim 1 wherein the first ablation area (A1)comprises a first portion and an end portion extending from the firstportion and tapering from a width of the first portion to a point at thejunction with the second ablation area (A2), and wherein the secondablation area (A2) comprises a plurality of ablated zones extending inthe longitudinal direction of the edge portion over the whole length ofthe second ablation area (A2).
 11. A container according to claim 1,further comprising a fourth planar wall connected to the first planarwall by a third edge portion, the longitudinal direction of the thirdedge portion being transverse to the longitudinal direction of the firstedge portion and substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction ofthe second edge portion, such that, when the container is assembled fromthe laminar blank, the first edge portion and the third edge portionform adjacent edges of the container meeting at a second junction;wherein the third edge portion has an inner surface and an outersurface, the inner surface of the third edge portion defining a thirdablation area (A3) with a length in the longitudinal direction of thethird edge portion and a width that extends transversely to said length;and wherein the third ablation area (A3) comprises one or more ablatedzones having a residual thickness less than the thickness (T) of thelaminar blank and the first ablation area (A1) comprises a first portionand two opposite end portions extending from the first portion, each endportion tapering from a width (W) of the first portion to a point at thejunction with a respective one of the second and third ablation areas(A2, A3).
 12. A container according to claim 1, wherein the containerhas a spring-back force of less than about 10 milliNewton metres betweenthe first planar wall and at least one of the first or second planarwalls.
 13. A container according to claim 1 containing smoking articles.14. A laminar blank for forming a container for consumer articles, thelaminar blank having a thickness (T) and comprising: a first wall panelfor forming a first planar wall of the container; a second panelconnected to the first wall panel by a first edge portion for forming asecond planar wall of the container; and a third wall panel connected tothe first planar wall by a second edge portion for forming a thirdplanar wall of the container; the longitudinal direction of the firstedge portion being transversal to the longitudinal direction of thesecond edge portion; the first edge portion and the second edge portionforming, when the container is assembled from the laminar blank,adjacent edges of the container meeting at a junction; wherein the firstand the second edge portions have an inner surface and an outer surface,and the inner surfaces of the first and second edge portions define afirst ablation area (A1) and a second ablation area (A2), respectively;wherein each ablation area (A1, A2) comprises one or more ablated zoneshaving a residual thickness less than the thickness (T) of the laminarblank, and each ablation area (A1, A2) has a length in the longitudinaldirection of the respective edge portion and a respective width thatextends transversely to the length; wherein at least one of the firstand second ablation areas (A1, A2) comprises a first portion and an endportion extending from the first portion and tapering from a width (W)of the first portion to a point at the junction with the other one ofthe first and second ablation areas (A1, A2).
 15. A laminar blankaccording to claim 14, wherein both the first and second ablation areas(A1, A2) comprise a respective first portion and a respective endportion extending from the respective first portion and tapering from awidth of the respective first portion to a point at the junction withthe other one of the first and second ablation areas (A1, A2).